Premier League - Krul howler keeps Fulham alive

Ashkan Dejagah of Fulham celebrates scoring against Newcastle United during their English Premier League soccer match at Craven Cottage in London, March 15, 2014. REUTERS

A goalkeeping error from Tim Krul helped Fulham keep their survival hopes alive with a deserved 1-0 home win over Newcastle.

Krul should have kept out Ashkan Dejagah’s low strike, but the ball flew through him to give the Premier League’s bottom club a vital win that leaves them two points from safety with eight games remaining.

An uninspiring first half remained goalless, with the best opportunities falling to Newcastle’s Papiss Cisse and Fulham’s Lewis Holtby, both of whom were denied by good saves from David Stockdale and Krul respectively.

Fulham improved in the second half, with Pajtim Kasami finding the back of the net only to see his effort ruled out as Steve Sidwell was offside in the build-up.

There was then a double appeal for a Fulham goal as John Heitinga’s shot hit the underside of the bar and appeared to cross the line – but the technology proved that part of the ball was touching the white paint. Cauley Woodrow finished off the rebound, but he was offside.

Newcastle, with manager Alan Pardew absent due to his headbutting ban, almost took the lead as a terrible pass from William Kvist – not for the first time – sent Cisse through, but Stockdale denied him with a fine stop.

Seconds later Fulham were in front as Dejagah, who had just come off the bench, cut in from the left and let rip with his favoured right foot. Krul should have at least parried it, but the Dutchman's error was costly.

The onus was on Fulham to cling on and, for once, they were able to do so, with Luuk de Jong’s flashing header the closest to an equaliser, while Howard Webb rejected a last-gasp penalty appeal.

KEY MOMENTS

10’ – CHANCE FULHAM: A dangerous ball across goal by Kacaniklic that Krul and Dummett miss – but so does Heitinga at the far post!

35’ – CHANCE NEWCASTLE: Cisse with a close-range finish after De Jong missed the ball, but Stockdale is equal to it.

46’ – DISALLOWED GOAL: Kasami finishes but Sidwell was offside as he flicked the ball on.

54’ – DISALLOWED GOAL(S): Heitinga’s shot hits the underside of the bar and seems to bounce over the line, but the hawkeye shows an inch of the ball was touching the white stuff. Woodrow converts the rebound, but he was offside when the shot was taken.

67’ – CHANCE NEWCASTLE: A stray pass from Kvist – not for the first time – sends Cisse through, but a fine stop from Stockdale denies him.

68’ – GOAL FULHAM! Just off the bench, Dejagah smacks a fierce low drive that Krul should save, but doesn’t. The Cottage erupts.

86’ – CHANCE NEWCASTLE: De Jong rises with a towering header but it’s just wide of Stockdale’s goal.

90+1’ – PENALTY APPEAL: Krul comes up for a corner and tries to shoot from the edge of the box. Heitinga blocks it, Toon are convinced it was handball, but Howard Webb blows full time.

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KEY STATS

Fulham have won the last five Premier League home games against Newcastle.

The Whites claimed their league first win in 10 matches and Magath’s first as boss.

TALKING POINT

What is Felix Magath thinking? Teenage striker Cauley Woodrow started another match and, while busy, had a limited impact. The only two league goals he has scored in his career were on loan at Southend and, with Hugo Rodallega on the bench and both Kostas Mitroglou and Darren Bent omitted from the squad, it is hard to fathom what Magath is trying to achieve here. Are his experienced international trio poor trainers? Is he trying to prove a point about Fulham’s talent spotters? Who knows.